Chapter 629: Chapter 401: Anning Village
After leaving the city, Wei Ziang pointed to a direction: "Let’s check out that area first."
It was towards the direction of the pass, and Xiaomi nodded and followed along.
For long-term residence, naturally, it would be best to choose a place that is slightly farther from Lishi City, not only to protect the parents, but also to protect the grain.
After all, if the grain is too close to the border, it’s easily subject to destruction by the indigenous tribes.
The places recommended by General Song were similar, slightly farther from Lishi City but not too far, it would take just two hours on horseback at a gallop.
The two set their direction and rode away, galloping past many caravans along the way.
Last time Xiaomi came here, it was similar, riding at a gallop, but the mood was entirely different, last time was anxious, this time was leisurely.
They even ran two circles on the nearby grassland before continuing forward.
This area doesn’t have such steep peaks, yet there are hills, but they appear flatter.
A little farther from Lishi City, villages and fields began to appear sporadically.
The houses here were more rugged, yet they were large and spacious.
It was a completely different style from inside the border.
The two arrived at the places mentioned by General Song, visited all the villages he talked about, even lunch was just a casual meal.
Even so, by the time they made the round trip, darkness had already fallen.
Wei Ziang looked at the sky: "We won’t make it back into the city, might as well stay outside for the night, return early tomorrow morning."
The city gates close punctually every evening, the parents had special circumstances that night, as for them, they probably wouldn’t have the privilege to have the gates open beyond the stipulated time.
Xiaomi nodded: "Then let’s find a spot sheltered from the wind."
Luckily, there was no habitation for miles around, Xiaomi decisively took out all of Ling’er’s prepared dinner.
On the table, there was even a tablecloth spread, with a slender-necked small vase holding a single red rose.
The solar lamp was replaced by candles, with a windproof cover on the candelabra, ensuring the meal wouldn’t be abruptly interrupted by blown-out candles.
However, it was unfortunate that although the ambiance was great, someone was ravenous, wolfing down food, with no time to pay attention to the ambiance.
After eating to his heart’s content, with a wave of a small hand, everything returned to the space, Ling’er would tidy everything up.
Doing these tasks in the space was incredibly easy, didn’t even require hands, just a thought was enough to prepare everything.
Without washing up, they directly set up the tent and lay down fully clothed to sleep.
Still using the large tent from last time, Wei Ziang was already used to it, even forgetting to remind Xiaomi to ask if there was another spare, or take shifts for night watch while the other rested.
But as for night watch, there really was no need to worry.
Ling’er would possess the body of Xiao Ba at night, leave the space and wander outside, helping with night watch in the process.
Whether it’s Ling’er herself or Xiao Ba, their senses were sharper than those of ordinary people, any slight movement from the wind would be detected.
With Ling’er on night duty, they could sleep soundly and boldly.
Before sleeping, the two discussed the places they’d seen today, and ultimately settled on one spot, planning to look again carefully the next day.
After a night of sound sleep, early the next morning, the two woke up one after the other, after a simple wash, Xiaomi took out several meat buns and two bowls of soy milk, filling themselves adequately, then set out again while it was still cool.
This time the purpose was clear, no need to spend extra time, they soon reached their destination.
An abandoned small village, now deserted, yet traces of the fields and foundations could still be seen on the ground.
"Years ago during border turmoil, people in the surrounding villages either died or fled, many places now no one stands, here should be one of them."
Wei Ziang, having spent more time at the border, knew more things.
Xiaomi patted her chin: "Speaking of which, our family also fled to Cheng County."
Wei Ziang chuckled: "I’ve asked the elder brother, it wasn’t escaping from around Lishi City, it was from a place closer to Cheng County."
"Oh." She still thought, could they possibly get lucky and return to the place where the parents were born? From the looks of it, it wasn’t so.
Refocusing their attention on the abandoned village before them, it wasn’t far from the main road, yet perfectly hidden by a mountain, people passing by the main road would definitely overlook this side.
Meanwhile, this area is relatively flat, there is a river inside the village, making irrigating fields convenient, the village also has a ready-made well.
Xiaomi specifically drew closer to check, there was still water in the well, it’s just that over the years, lots of fallen branches and leaves had accumulated, it just needed cleaning.
The fields were overgrown with wild grass, and now that summer was coming in, it’s too late to plant anything, they could first tidy the wasteland and build houses, and then in fall, they could directly start farming.
Wei Ziang went to the village entrance to check the boundary stone and noted down the village’s name.
"Brother, what do you think about this place? Not far from Lishi City, two hours on horseback, you could even visit monthly."
Xiaomi walked around, growing increasingly satisfied.
The land is vast with sparse people, this village surrounds hundreds of acres of barren land, all of which were unclaimed property.
The new imperial policy exempts taxes for the first three years on reclaimed wasteland, not to mention the cheap wasteland prices, if truly reclaimed, it would be a considerable advantage.
The more she thought, the more satisfied she felt.
Wei Ziang looked around, the mountain near the main road was relatively gentle, with some work, it could be used for farming too.
Moreover, though the road goes behind the mountain, entering and exiting the pass to penetrate the heart of Xuyu, wouldn’t take this road.
That’s the main road connecting other towns to Lishi City, usually not much traffic.
Plus, Wei Ziang recalled, it’s two hours on horseback from here to Lishi City, whereas it takes six to seven hours by carriage, and continuing forward, it takes six to seven hours by carriage to reach the next town.
Considering this, settling down here seems suitable, quiet, yet not particularly remote, and could accommodate five hundred of the sentinel guards, ensuring safety for sure.
While contemplating, he heard Xiaomi’s question, and nodded: "Indeed very good, shall we settle here?"
But, if settling here, in this year or so, there might be not much development, right?
Clearing the land alone probably takes half a year.
But that’s a future matter, wait until next year when Brother Ze and the second sister are married, then address other issues.
Xiaomi didn’t think much, only felt that this place was simply a geomantic treasure, thriving vegetation, abundant sunlight, very suitable for farming.
"Let’s settle here, what’s this place called? We should get people to build houses first, then transport more grain, and start working."
"Anning Village." Wei Ziang just saw the boundary stone.
"Anning? That’s a good name indeed."